Literacy


Eppalock PS has small class sizes which enables teacher and support staff to work more regularly with students at point of need.

 

Literacy sessions take place in the mornings from 9:00am-11:00am each day where possible.

 

All classrooms work from a consistent Literacy Instructional Model which has been developed at school by staff.  The model uses explicit teaching, learning intentions and success criteria with a gradual release of responsibility.  All students work with their teacher to set their own learning goals during the term.

 

Eppalock PS uses Fountas and Pinnell to help guide teaching and learning, with the P/1/2 class making use of the Soundwaves Synthetic Phonics program to support learning.  Teachers in the P/1/2 room are trained in the effective use of this program. We also have a whole school spelling program.

 

Our staff are part of a Small School network which enables connection and collaboration with other staff from other small schools in Bendigo.  We are ccurrently working in this group to further develop and improve teaching and learning in Literacy, particularly around the use of Fountas and Pinnell and data literacy.

 

NAPLAN data is used to monitor the school teaching and learning programs as a whole.  This annual assessment is one set of data used which is supplmented by a range of other in school assessments.

 

Eppalock PS has a well stocked library area which enables the students easy access to a range of reading material of all age levels.

 

We have fortnightly visits from the MARC Van library.  Sue, our library teacher, is able to speak with the students about appropriate reading material and also supply another range of books to borrow and take home.


Where possible, staff work to integrate curriculum areas into the Literacy block and include student interest.

instructional model